Names In The News

In Newark, Ryan Hutchins reports the state of New Jersey is "asking a federal appeals court for another chance to make the case that the state should be able to legalize sports betting at its casinos and horse racing tracks." New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE is "asking for a rehearing before the full 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia." A three-judge panel from the circuit court in September "ruled that a federal statute barring states from legalizing or regulating sports betting is constitutional" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/4).

FARM HAND? In Dallas, David Barer reported former Rangers CEO NOLAN RYAN "could enter the statewide race" for Texas agricultural commissioner. Ryan, a Republican, "hasn't said publicly that he's considering the race," and "did not respond Friday to requests for comment." If Ryan enters the race, he would be "the biggest name in a packed primary field" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/2).

GOING FOR A RIDE: British cyclist BRADLEY WIGGINS has "signed a joint venture agreement" SIMON FULLER's XIX Entertainment, becoming "the latest high-profile British sportsman to sign up" with the company. Wiggins won the '12 Tour de France before winning Olympic gold in the time trial at the '12 London Games (GUARDIAN, 11/4).

DRIVE TRAIN: Former NFLer DONALD DRIVER "just shot an episode" of ABC's "EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS" and will be a guest co-host on Friday's episode of "THE VIEW." He also is working on the inaugural Donald Driver's Driven to Achieve Awards, which will "recognize community difference makers" in Milwaukee. Last month Driver went on a "whirlwind press tour" for his memoir, "DRIVEN: FROM HOMELESS TO HERO, MY JOURNEYS ON AND OFF LAMBEAU FIELD" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 11/2).

NAMES: The Bills honored bus driver DARNELL BARTON as a guest at yesterday's Chiefs-Bills game "after a locker-room greeting" from coach DOUG MARRONE and President & CEO RUSS BRANDON. Barton "stopped his Metro bus last week and rescued a distraught woman" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 11/3)....Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK “sold 94,500 shares of company stock in a transaction reported late Thursday for a total value of $7,670,407” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 11/1)....Red Sox P JAKE PEAVY on Twitter wrote that he “bought one of the duck boats that carried the team through the streets of Boston on Saturday to celebrate” its World Series title (AP, 11/3)....Actor JAKE GYLLENHAAL is “in talks to star in the boxing drama ‘SOUTHPAW’” (THEWRAP.com, 11/1)....Actress ELLEN BARKIN and actor ROBERT DE NIRO will appear in the ROBERTO DURAN biopic “HANDS OF STONE.” Barkin will “play the wife of Duran’s trainer RAY ARCEL, whom De Niro plays” (VARIETY.com, 11/1)....Cubs Chair TOM RICKETTS co-chaired this year’s Carl Sandberg Literary Awards dinner on Oct. 23 (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 11/3)....Ravens K JUSTIN TUCKER and girlfriend AMANDA BASS were engaged this weekend (BALTIMORESUN.com, 11/3).